Summary: An MA in Journalism and Mass Communication is a two-year postgraduate programme that trains you in reporting, digital storytelling, public relations, advertising and media research. It suits graduates from any stream who want to build a career in news media, corporate communication or digital content and it typically asks for a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks plus a flair for written and verbal communication.
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Key Takeaways
- Eligibility: graduation in any discipline with 50% marks, plus English proficiency; open to science, commerce and arts graduates alike.
- Syllabus covers journalism, PR, advertising, digital marketing, SEO, data journalism and AI-driven content creation across four semesters.
- Career roles range from correspondent and PR officer to video editor and digital media strategist, with pay rising sharply after two to three years' experience.
- Admission runs on merit or entrance exams such as CUET PG, followed by an application and, at some universities, an interview.
- Government institutes like IIMC and Jamia Millia Islamia lead the space, but private universities such as Sharda now offer comparable industry exposure and infrastructure.
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India's media and entertainment industry is projected to grow 9.7% annually, reaching US$73.6 billion by 2027, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation. That kind of momentum is exactly why an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication looks like a different degree today than it did even five years ago.
Reporting still matters, but the programme now sits at the intersection of storytelling, digital strategy and data and most universities keep it open to graduates from any academic background, not just those with a media degree already. This guide walks you through eligibility, syllabus, career options, admission steps and how to shortlist a university, so you can decide with a clearer picture rather than guesswork.
What Is the Eligibility Criteria for an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication?
Most universities ask for a bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks, along with reasonable proficiency in English and an interest in writing or media work. There is no fixed subject requirement at the undergraduate level, which is why the programme attracts such a mixed cohort each year.
| Category |
Eligibility Requirement |
| National Students |
Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks, a creative personality and proficiency in English communication. |
| International Students |
Minimum 50% in the qualifying examination, having studied the pre-requisite subjects for the desired programme. |
Some universities also run their own entrance test or a short personal interview to gauge writing ability and current affairs awareness, so it helps to read newspapers and follow news formats closely in the months before you apply.
Can Science Graduates Apply for an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication?
Yes. An MA in Journalism and Mass Communication does not require a background in humanities or mass communication. Universities evaluate applicants on overall graduation marks, English proficiency and communication aptitude rather than a specific undergraduate stream.
In fact, science graduates often bring an advantage in areas like data journalism, health reporting and science communication, where subject-matter grounding helps in producing accurate, well-researched content. Commerce graduates tend to gravitate towards business journalism and corporate communication for the same reason.
If you are moving into media from an unrelated undergraduate degree, it is worth building a small portfolio of writing samples or a blog before you apply. Admission panels increasingly look for a demonstrated interest in storytelling, not just marks on a transcript.
Also read: Career in Mass Communication After 12th
What Are the Core Subjects in an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication Syllabus?
The syllabus is built to combine theoretical grounding with hands-on practice, spread across four semesters. While the exact paper names vary by university and academic year, most programmes cover the following themes:
- Investigative journalism and reporting techniques
- Digital storytelling and multimedia production
- Public relations, advertising and corporate communication
- Media research methods and media law and ethics
- Digital marketing, social media management and content strategy
- Search engine optimisation (SEO) and audience analytics
- AI-driven content creation, data journalism and mobile reporting
Practical work usually includes short films, documentaries, podcasts, digital campaigns and a research portfolio, supported by internships, newsroom simulations and masterclasses with working journalists and media professionals.
Also Read: Common Journalism Internship opportunities for students
What Are the Best High-Paying Career Options and Job Roles After Completing an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication?
Graduates typically move into newsrooms, digital media houses, PR agencies, corporate communication teams or production studios. Entry-level pay varies widely by role and organisation, generally in the range of three to six lakh rupees a year for freshers and salary sources across the industry differ enough that it is worth treating any single figure as indicative rather than fixed.
| Career Path |
Typical Roles |
| News & Print Media |
Journalist, Correspondent, News Analyst, Feature Writer, Columnist |
| Broadcast Media |
TV Broadcaster, TV Producer, Radio Jockey, Radio Producer, Anchor |
| Digital & Creative |
Digital Media Professional, Video Editor, Screenwriter, Art Director |
| Corporate & PR |
Public Relations Officer, Production Worker, Cartoonist, Fashion Photographer |
Pay tends to rise quickly once you specialise, particularly in digital content strategy, data journalism or corporate communication, where two to three years of experience can push earnings well past the entry band.
What Is the Admission Process for MA in Journalism and Mass Communication?
Admission generally runs on merit or through an entrance exam, followed by document verification and, at some universities, a short interview. Sharda University follows a straightforward three-step process that we refer to internally as the SEE Framework.
SEE stands for Screen, Evaluate and Enrol and it is designed to keep the process transparent for both national and international applicants:
- Screen: submit your application with graduation marksheets and confirm you meet the 50% eligibility threshold.
- Evaluate: the admissions team reviews your academic record and, where applicable, entrance exam or interview performance.
- Enrol: complete document verification and fee payment to confirm your seat.
Many universities across India also accept scores from national-level entrance tests such as CUET PG, alongside institute-specific tests like the IIMC entrance exam or Jamia Millia Islamia's entrance exam, so it is worth checking which route a shortlisted university prefers before you apply.
Also Read: Is CUET mandatory for UG and PG Degree Courses?
Which Are the Best Universities Offering an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication?
Look for NAAC or NIRF-recognised accreditation, working studio and newsroom infrastructure, industry tie-ups for internships and a faculty mix of academics and practising media professionals. Government institutes have historically led on reputation, but several private universities now match them on infrastructure and industry exposure.
| University |
Type |
Known For |
| Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi |
Government |
India's premier standalone media institute; strong alumni network in journalism |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi |
Government (Central University) |
Long-established mass communication department with a competitive entrance exam |
| University of Delhi |
Government |
Established journalism programmes across affiliated colleges |
| Sharda University, Greater Noida |
Private |
Dedicated School of Media, Film and Entertainment with an in-house TV studio, editing suites and two student-run newspapers |
| Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune |
Private |
Strong industry placement record in advertising and PR |
| Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai |
Private |
Reputed for broadcast and film-focused specialisations |
Why Choose Sharda University for MA in Journalism and Mass Communication?
The M.A (Journalism & Mass Communication) course at Sharda University is offered by the Sharda School of Media, Film and Entertainment (SMFE), a two-year postgraduate programme covering investigative journalism, digital storytelling, public relations, advertising and media research, alongside emerging modules in AI-driven content creation and audience analytics.
| Detail |
Information |
| Duration |
2 Years (4 Semesters) |
| 1st Year Fee (National) |
₹1,81,000 |
| 2nd Year Fee (National) |
₹1,86,430 |
| International Fee |
$3,400 per year (approx.) |
| Eligibility |
Graduation in any discipline, minimum 50% marks |
The Department of Mass Communication runs a fully operational television studio, editing suites, two student-run newspapers (The Sharda Times and Sharda Samachar) and an on-campus community radio station, giving students hands-on experience from the first semester rather than only in the final year.
Beyond the MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), the School of Media, Film and Entertainment also offers a BA (Journalism & Mass Communication), BA (Film, Television & OTT Production), BSc (Animation, VFX & Gaming Design) and an MA (Advertising, Public Relations and Corporate Communication), so students exploring a different entry point or specialisation within media have options within the same department.
Also Read: Sharda University Salary Package Explained: What Students Really Earn After Graduation
Conclusion
An MA in Journalism and Mass Communication remains a practical route into media, PR and digital communication careers and it stays open to graduates from any academic background, not just those with a mass communication degree already. Whether you choose a government institute or a private university like Sharda, prioritise infrastructure, faculty exposure and internship pipelines over brand name alone when you shortlist.
If Sharda's studio infrastructure and industry-linked curriculum sound like the right fit, you can apply for the 2026-27 intake here.
